INSTRUCTIONS directed from the KING'S most Excellent Majesty, Unto all the BISHOPS of this Kingdom, and fit to be put in execution, agreeable to the necessity of the Time.  
C R  DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE  royal blazon surmounted by a crown, flanked by the English lion and Scottish unicorn, and embellished with a Tudor rose and a Scottish thistle 
LONDON, Printed by Bonham Norton and john Bill, Printers to the KING'S most Excellent Majesty. 1626.   

MY very good L.  
I have received from the King's MAJESTY, both pious and prudent instructions necessary for this time: the particulars whereof do here follow.  
MOst Reverend Father in God, right Trusty, and right Well-beloved Counsellor, We greet you well.  
We have observed, that the Church and the State are so nearly united and knit together, that though they may seem two Bodies, yet indeed in some relation they may be accounted but as one, in as much as they both are made up of the same men, which are differenced only in relations to Spiritual or Civil ends. This nearness makes the Church call in the help of the State, to secure and support her, whensoever she is pressed beyond her strength. And the same nearness makes the State call in for the service of the Church, both to teach that duty which her members know not, and to exhort them to, and encourage them, in that duty which they know. It is not long since We ordered the State to serve the Church, and by a timely Proclamation settled the peace of it. And now the State looks for the like assistance from the Church, that She, and all her Ministers, may serve God and Us, by preaching peace and unity at home, that it may be the better able to resist foreign force uniting and multiplying against it. And to the end that they, to whom We have committed the government of the Church under Us, may be the better able to dispose of the present occasions, We have, with the advice of Our Counsel, thought fit to send unto you these instructions following, to be sent by you to the Bishops of your Province, & such other, Whom it may concern, and by them and their Officers directed to all the Ministers throughout the several Dioceses, that according to these punctually they may instruct and exhort the people to serve God and Us, and labour by their prayers to divert the dangers which hang over Vs. The danger in which We are at this time is great. It is increased by the late blow given Our good Uncle, the King of Denmark, who is the chief person in those parts, that opposed the spreading forces of Spain. If he cannot subsist, there is little or nothing left to hinder the House of Austria from being Lord and Master of Germany: And that is a large and mighty territory, and such, as should it be gotten, would make an open way for Spain, to do what they pleased in all the West part of Christendom. For besides the great strength which Germany once possessed would bring to them, which are too strong already, you are to consider, first, how it will enable them by Land, in that it will join all, or the most part of the Spaniards now distracted Territories, and be a means for him safely and speedily to draw down forces against any other Kingdom that shall stand in his way. Nor can it be thought the Low Countries can hold out longer against him, if he once become Lord of the upper parts. And secondly, you are to weigh, how it will advantage him by Sea, and make him strong against Us in Our particular, which is of easy apprehension to all men. And beside, if he once get Germany, he will be able, though he had no gold from India, to supply the necessity of those wars, and to hinder all Trade and Traffic, of the greatest Staple Commodities of this Kingdom, Cloth and Wool, and so make them of little or no value. You are to know therefore, that to prevent this, is the present care of the King and State, and there is no probable way left, but by sending forces and other supplies, to the said King of Denmark, Our dear Uncle, to enable him to keep the Field, that Our enemies be not Masters of all on the sudden. You are further to take notice, how both We, and this whole State, stand bound in honour and conscience, to supply the present necessity of the King of Denmark. For this quarrel is more nearly Ours, the recovery of the ancient inheritance of Our dear Sister, and her Children. The King of Denmark stands not so near in blood unto her as We do. Yet for her and Our sakes, that brave and valiant King hath adventured into the field, and in that engagement hath not only hazarded his Person; but, as things go now, it may turn to some danger to his own Kingdom and Posterity, should he not receive aid and secure from Us without delay: Which, should it happen (as God forbidden) will be one of the greatest dishonours that ever this kingdom was stained withal. Nor is danger and dishonour all the mischief that is like to follow this disaster: For if he be not presently relieved, the cause of Religion is not only likely to suffer by it in some one part, (as it hath already in a fearful manner in the Palatinate) but in all places, where it hath gotten any footing: So that if we supply not presently Our Allies and Confederates in this case, it is like to prove the extirpation of true Religion, and the replanting of Romish Superstition in all the neighbouring parts of Christendom. And the coldness of this State shall suffer in all places, as the betrayer of that Religion elsewhere, which it professeth and honoureth at home, which will be an imputation never to be washed off. And God forbidden this State should suffer under it. Neither may you forget rightly to inform the people committed to your charge, that this War, which now grows full of danger, was not entered upon rashly, and without advice; but you are to acquaint them, that all former Treaties by a peaceable way, were in the latter end of our dear Father of ever blessed memory, dissolved as fruitless, and unfit to be longer held on foot. And this by the Counsel of both Houses of Parliament then sitting; so those two great and honourable Bodies of the Peers and People, represented in Parliament, led on this Counsel and course to a war with Spain. To effect this, they desired our aid and assistance, and used us to work our said dear Father to entertain this course. This upon their persuasions, and promises of all assistance and supply, we readily undertook, and effected, and cannot now be left in that business but with the sin and shame of all men. Sin, because aid and supply for the defence of the Kingdom, and the like affairs of State, especially such as are advised and assumed by Parliamentary Counsel, are due to the King from his People, by all Law both of God and men: And shame, if they forsake the King, while he pursues their own counsel, just and honourable and which could not under God but have been successful, if it had been followed and supplied in time, as We desired and laboured for. One thing there is which proves a great hindrance of this State, and not continued amongst the people without great offence against God, detriment both to Church and State, and our great disservice in this and all other business, It is the breach of Unity, which is grown too great and common among all sorts of men. The danger of this goes fare: for in all States it hath made way for enemies to enter. We have by all means endeavoured Union, and require of you to preach it and Charity, the mother of it, frequently in the ears of the people. We know their loyal hearts, and therefore wonder the more what should cause distracted affections. If you call upon them (which is your duty) we doubt not but that God will bless them with that love to himself, to his Church, and their own preservation, which alone will be able to bind up the scatter of divided affections into strength. To this end, you are to lay before them, what miseries home-divisions have brought upon this and many other Kingdoms, and to exhort all men to embrace it in time. The danger itself, besides all other Christian and prudent motives, is of force enough (where it is duly considered) to make men join in all amity against a common, a great, and a growing Enemy. And to do it in time, before any secret and cunning working of his, may use one part in a division to weaken the other. And in the last place (but first and last and all times to be insisted upon) you are to call upon God yourselves, and to incite the people to join with you in humble and hearty prayers unto God, that he will be pleased now, after long affliction of his dear People and Children, to look in mercy both upon them and us, And in particular, for the safety of the King of Denmark and that Army which is left him, that God would bless and prosper him against his and our enemies. Thus you are to strengthen the hearts and the hopes of Our loyal Subjects and People in and upon God. And whereas the greatest confidence men have in God, ariseth not only from his promises, but from their experience likewise of his goodness, you must not fail often to recall to the memory of the People with thankfulness, the late great experience we have had of his goodness toward us; For the three great and usual judgements, which he darts down upon disobedient and unthankful people, are Pestilence, Famine, and the Sword. The Pestilence did never rage more in this Kingdom then of late, and God was graciously pleased in Mercy to hear the prayers which were made unto him, and the ceasing of the judgement was little less than a Miracle. The Famine threatened us this present year, and it must have followed, had God reigned down his anger a little longer upon the fruits of the earth. But upon our prayers he stayed that judgement, and sent us a blessed season, and a most plentiful harvest. The Sword is the thing which we are now to look to, and you must call the People to their prayers again against the Enemy, that God will be pleased to send the like deliverance from this judgement also, that in the same Mercy, he will vouchsafe to strengthen the hands of his People, that he will sharpen their sword; but dull and turn the edge of that which is in our enemy's hands, that so while some fight, others may pray for the blessing. And you are to be careful that you fail not to direct and hearten Our loving People in this and all other necessary services both of God, his Church, and Us, that We may have the comfort of Our people's service; the State, safety; the Church, Religion; and the people, the enjoying of all such Blessings as follow these. And We end with doubling of this care upon you, and all under you in their several places.  
Given at Our Palace at Westminster, in the second year of Our Reign, the twenty one of September. 1626.  
THe care which your Lordship is to use in this behalf, is to see them made known to the worthy Preachers and Ministers in your Diocese, and so fare as your Lordship may, in your own person to put these things in execution, and to call upon the Clergy which is under you, in their Preach and private conferences, to stir up all sorts of people to express their zeal to God, their duty to the King, and their love unto their Country, and one to another, that all good and Christian courses may be taken, for the preservation of the true Religion, both in this Land, and throughout all Christendom: Which not doubting, but your Lordship with all diligence and speed will see effected, I leave you to the Almighty, and remain  
Your Lordship's loving brother, G. Cant. Croyden. Septemb. 26. 1626.   

¶ Imprinted at London by BONHAM NORTON and john Bill, Printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty. 1626.